Primordial pour l'album "The Gathering Wilderness"

I must confess this is the first time i heard anything about Primordial. Definitly quite different from what you may be expecting from metal today. How would you describe your music? (as for me, a mix somehow between Katatonia, Opeth and Agalloch, but with a definitly particular taste hard to express)

Well Primordial is going as long as both katatonia and opeth and we have no influence from those bands. Perhaps what you hear is originally that we had the same influences. For me at least our music is much more Epic and Tragic then these bands. Our influences were bands like Bathory, Iron Maiden, Sabbath, Celtic frost, Candlemass. Nothing modern really. To be honest we don’t really pay any attention to what the scene is doing when we are writing music. The best description of our music…Tragedy and Might.

You’re from Ireland, which is not well known for its metal scene. Are there any bands a bit underground from your country which are definitly worth checking? (in other terms, any band appart from Primordial coming from Ireland?)

There are some decent bands coming from Ireland. If you want to check out the scene here go to www.metalireland.com and you will find a window into the scene. Personally bands I like from Ireland are Mourning Beloveth, The Dagda and Sol Axis.



Where do you find the inspiration for creating this music? Any specific books, movies, music, or trips around the Irish countryside?

Primordial is the continuation of a great Irish artistic tradition. Music, Art, Literature through the millennia. Some bands make music for no particular reason. We make music because it is within us, part of our culture, our blood and folklore. Inspiration can come from anywhere and anything, the only thing we try and do is be as honest and true to ourselves as possible with the music we make. This is real music with real meaning.

Is there already a tour planned to promote your new album?

There has been lots of talk and a few festivals here and there but nothing right has come up yet. I guess when the press starts properly and the reviews and adds start going in and the profile of the band is raised then it will be easier, we will have some more power.

Hard question: what would be your favorite song on this new album? And the one who like less?

I couldn’t pick really to be honest. Ask me that after we go on tour. Sometimes playing a song live really reveals things you about it…

“The Gathering Wilderness” is your fifth full lenght album. How would you compare it to your previous efforts? Which one is your favorite, and the one you like less? (copy/paste question i know)

again hard to say. Every Primordial album represents us at a certain stage of our evolution. And we did the best we could at the time. Every album is different but strong in its own way. I have songs here and there that stand out to me but they are all important to me.



Your new album will come out in a limited edition including a DVD. What can we expect from this DVD? Any crazy drunken footage?

You think we are pantera or something ?. no, no stupidity. Just a short film about the making of the album. For what it is and made for nothing its quite ok. Just a little view into our lives over the time of the album.

You have recently signed on Metal Blade, which is by now the biggest label you’ve ever been on. It must be a big step forward from your previous numerous problems with labels...

Haha tell me about it. We’ve had tons of problem over the years but ive never stopped pushing for something better and now we are finally after all these years in a better position then we have ever been in. perhaps every dog has its day huh ?. we’ll see.

Any comments on the murder of Dimebag Darrel (RIP) a few weeks ago...?

Pretty shocking and sad. I was never into pantera but he was a talented musician and seemed like a fun loving generous guy.

This interview is made for a French webzine (http://www.thrashocore.com). Any good / bad comments to do about France? (be careful! ;p)

Hah, france has been a hard market for Primordial over the years. Maybe this will change with this album. Ive been there lots of times and have some great friends there and some good memories of the place although I don’t like Paris much, the atmosphere is hard to describe but needless to say I don’t like it…

What is the last cd you bought?

Good point…the last few things I bought were motorhead – overkill re-issue, rotting Christ – sanctus diavoli, allfather – weapon of ascension, manilla road – crystal logic re-issue, isis – oceanic, rammstein – reise reise, and the new maldoror kollective….

What are you listening to these times? Any good metal / non-metal albums to recommand?

Eh…apart from metal I like Johnny cash, Leonard cohen, der blutharsch, blood axis, depeche mode, devil doll, dead can dance, death in june, that kind of thing….and some classical and irish traditional music…

Do you surf often on the Internet? Any good adresses to share?

To be honest man not really. I look at a few things here and there but im not one for spending hours reading things on the net. Still prefer a good book !….

A last word to conclude?

Hope to see you all on the field of battle throughout Europe in 2005. The Wilderness is Gathering all its children in…
Thanks!